6233 Duchess of Sutherland
Saturday 30th October
This impressive full day excursion covers Midland main lines including the 1 in 37 Lickey Bank, hauled by Britain’s most powerful steam locomotive! We begin our journey at Derby with diesel haulage by 47 773 from Tyseley Locomotive Works. picking up at Coleshill Parkway, Tamworth (High Level), Burton on Trent and Derby where 6233 Duchess of Sutherland charge at the front of our train to Bristol Temple Meads for three and a half hours of sightseeing in the city.
We return via the outward route to Derby via Cheltenham Spa and the famous 1 in 37.7, two-mile gradient of ‘The Lickey’, (left) the steepest sustained main line railway incline in Great Britain. On arrival at Derby our train will reverse and our class 47 returns us to Tyseley stopping to set down as on the outward journey. Due to the requirement to take a banker over the Lickey Incline and not wishing to stop at the foot of the incline to gain such assistance, a diesel will accompany the rear of the train throughout the journey from Tyseley – although we will ensure that the Duchess is doing the lion’s share of the work throughout!
Background - No. 6233 Duchess of Sutherland
LMS Princess Coronation Class 46233 Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive built in 1938 for the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) at Crewe Works to a design by William Stanier. It is a 4-6-2 Pacific locomotive built as part of the LMS Coronation Class for its express passenger services, including the Royal Scot service from London to Glasgow.
Withdrawn by British Railways in 1964, the locomotive was originally sold to Butlins holiday camp in Scotland. In 1996, the locomotive was acquired by The Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust with the intention of restoration to mainline condition. In 2001, 46233 was restored to operating condition and since then has been a regular performer on the national network.
In Preservation
Following withdrawal from service, 46233 was acquired by Butlins Heads-of-Ayr holiday camp, Scotland, in October 1964. It was later purchased by Bressingham Steam Museum. In 1996, 6233 was acquired by the Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust (PRCLT) arriving at the PRCLT's West Shed, at Swanwick Junction on the Midland Railway - Butterley, on 3 February 1996. In 2001, No. 6233 returned to the national network after an overhaul assisted by the heritage lottery fund and match funded by the PRCLT.
To allow it to run on the main line in preservation, 6233 was fitted with Train Protection & Warning System (TPWS) and on-train monitoring recorder (OTMR) equipment, alongside the BR fitted Automatic Warning System (AWS). On 6 March 2010, 6233 was rolled out in LMS lined black livery, which was retained during 2010, before a major overhaul, taking 6233 out of service for the 2011 season. On 3 March 2012, now renumbered 46233 was rolled out in "authentic (Brunswick) green" livery, as used by British Railways during the early 1950s.
On 9 September 2018, the engine regained its original number "6233" and LMS "Crimson Lake" livery to mark its 80th birthday.
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